Live strong and healthy by partaking the Holy Communion

Matthew 26:26-28 (NKJV): And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat, this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

As a believer, there are 2 things you should never miss, because these are meant to be great blessings for you - First, water baptism (which is 'one-off'), and the other, holy communion (which is practised continuously throughout your life as a believer). 

So, if water baptism is a public testimony for your salvation, then holy communion is about what comes after you know that you are saved. It is to remind yourself of your forgiveness/justification ('cup' representing the blood of Jesus) and healing/health ('bread' representing the body of Jesus) that comes from Him, as you look to Him and what He has already done for you on the cross. Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19).

Today, let's also clear any misconception about holy communion once for all. Contrary to what some people think, holy communion is never a ritual to be observed, but a blessing to be received, i.e. the blessing of health and wholeness for the believers. In fact, it is God's way of releasing His life, health, strength, and vitality to the believers in the New Covenant!

By the way, the practice of holy communion (i.e. breaking of bread) has always been an integral part of every believer's gathering in the early church those days (see Acts 2:42).

"But pastor, I don't see what this little piece of bread and this little cup of juice can do for me!"

Never underestimate what you partake during holy communion. There’s power in the act of eating. You see, it was a little piece (of fruit) Adam ate that plunged all of us into the 'vicious circle' of sin, brokenness and condemnation. So, to reverse this 'dying you shall die' effect or curse due to sin, God has also 'ordained' the little piece (of bread) and the little cup (of juice) for us to eat and drink in order to restore us back to our wholeness and wellness!

Let's now go back to the Old Testament for its parallel. The Bible says when God's people left Egypt on the night of Passover, none was feeble (i.e. weak and sickly) among them (see Psalm 105:37). That's quite amazing, considering there were about 2.5 million people leaving Egypt then! And yet none was weak and sickly!

What was their secret to health, strength and vitality then? I believe the answer lies in what they partook on the night of Passover. And as they partook, God released such supernatural health and strength into each one of them, that none was feeble during the journey! Exodus 12:8 says, 'Then they shall eat the flesh (of the lamb) on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it'. Exodus 12:13 then says, 'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt'. 

You see? A 'picture' of the body and blood of Jesus! The above is in fact a 'shadow' of the Lord’s Supper (i.e. holy communion) instituted by Jesus before His crucifixion (see Matthew 26:26-28, Luke 22:19-20). Furthermore, the Lord's Supper was first celebrated on the same date as Passover then (see Luke 22:15). If what you see in the Old Testament is the 'shadow', then what you see in the New Testament is the 'substance'. Jesus is therefore the true (roasted) Lamb of God, and the unleavened bread ('matzah', i.e. the flat bread which is unleavened, baked, pierced with holes, and striped) eaten during Passover also speaks of Jesus Himself. If 'leaven' speaks of 'sin', then the unleavened bread speaks of 'Jesus, who is sinless'.

There is therefore a '2-fold' application as you partake of the holy communion, i.e. the bread (representing the body of Jesus that was broken for us) is for your health and healing, and the cup (representing the blood of Jesus that was shed for us) is for the forgiveness of sins. 

When you partake of the bread, know that you are receiving His health, healing and wholeness. His body was broken so that yours can be made whole! Jesus was never sick on earth. So, as you partake the bread, you are also believing that 'as He is, so are you in this world' (1 John 4:17). As a matter of fact, throughout His ministry on earth, He healed all who came to Him, wherever He went (see Luke 6:19, Acts 10:38). His very nature is indeed to heal and to make you whole! This is your right as a believer! And He has already paid it in full for you at the cross!

When you partake of the cup, know that you are already forgiven and have been made righteous (i.e. in right standing with God) through the blood of Jesus. His blood was shed for you at the cross so that you have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).

So, as you partake of the holy communion, know that at the cross, Jesus didn't just carry all your sins, but He has also carried all your sicknesses, pains and bodily infirmities (see Isaiah 53:4).

"But why is it that some believers are afraid to partake the holy communion?'

Because they have probably misinterpreted 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 (NKJV) that says, 'For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (i.e. dead). 

Notice the phrase 'for this reason' here. It is singular, and not plural (i.e. 'for these reasons'). It means there's only one reason many are weak, sick, or die prematurely, and that reason is 'not discerning the Lord’s body' (meaning 'they did not know why they are partaking of the holy communion').

On the other hand, the good news is when you believe and when you rightly discern the Lord’s body, i.e. knowing that His body was broken for your healing and His blood was shed for your forgiveness when you partake of the holy communion, you’ll in fact be reversing the 'judgement' to your body (i.e. the process of ageing, and 'dying you shall die') that began since Adam’s fall! In other words, the more you partake of the holy communion, the more you are going to hear people say, "Hey, you look younger and healthier every time I see you again!" Praise God!

“But pastor, I must confess all my sins before partaking the holy communion, right? What if I miss out on one sin? Does that mean judgement will follow me?" 

Well, that’s how the devil makes God's people afraid to partake of the holy communion, when the truth is it is meant to be a divine blessing to be received! 

This misconception probably stems from misinterpreting 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (NKJV) that says, 'Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup'. 

What does it mean by ‘eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner’ here? Paul was not saying we should not partake because we are unworthy. If that's the case, no one should partake at all! Because all failed! We are only made worthy by His blood! So, Paul was actually referring to ‘those who do not know why they are partaking of the holy communion’. These are the people who may say, “Oh, it’s just a ritual or formality in the church!”, or “Oh, it’s just a piece of bread to fill your stomach, so that you’ll not be hungry during service!” 

‘Let a man examine himself' here then is 'to see if he is partaking the holy communion in a worthy manner', as explained in the previous paragraph. So, in the context of this verse here, Paul was not talking about ‘let a man examine all his sins and therefore confess them all’.

Note: Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I condone sin here. Sin is sin, and sin is detrimental to one's life. Here, I'm just describing what Paul meant when he wrote 'let a man examine himself'.

Finally, let's now go to 1 Corinthians 11:26. It says, 'For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes'. 

"Pastor, why and to whom I proclaim the Lord's death when I partake of the holy communion?"

Colossians 2:14-15 has the answer. It says, '...having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He (Jesus) has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it'. 

So, every time you remember His death by partaking of the holy communion, you are also in effect proclaiming to the principalities and powers that they have been disarmed and that Jesus has triumphed over them! In fact it is for this very reason that the devil is so very afraid of you partaking of the holy communion! Because by doing so, you are effectively proclaiming to the demonic spirits that Jesus has triumphed over them, and therefore every demonic spirit that works against you has no choice but to flee! Hallelujah!

Fill your thoughts with the Word of God!

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV): For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (earthly way) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

The word 'weapons' here is 'hoplon' in Greek (from the word 'hepo'), meaning 'tool, armor, instrument that is offensive for war'. Notice the word 'offensive' here? By the way, what is the 'offensive' part of the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17? The sword! Ephesians 6:17 says, 'And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God'.

Hence, the weapons mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4 speak of none other than the Word of God! And of course, unless we start wielding this 'sword', it will forever be lying idle on the ground (or rather, in the bookshelf!).

2 Corinthians 10:5 then completes 2 Corinthians 10:4. It says, 'Casting down arguments (in KJV, 'imaginations') and every high thing (i.e. earthly thing/matter/concern) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (includes God's plan and destiny for your life), bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ'. See the word 'thought' here?

Recently, the Lord said, "This is a year of glory, but how deep you want Me to bring you into My glory depends on what you allow to nestle on your head!" He then said further, "What you allow to nestle on your head (i.e. your thought/mind) will then become a stronghold, whether good or bad." These words then immediately reminded me of Colossians 3:2 that says, 'Set your mind on things above (Him and His things), not on things on the earth (carnal/earthly things)'.

People of God, you are now in a time when the Lord is bringing His people deeper (than ever before) into His glory. However, how deep His people can go depends on what His people allow to nestle on their heads!
Note: 'To nestle' means 'to settle comfortably, or warmly, as in a bird's nest'.

So, what is nestling on your head now? Is it the Word of God, or is it something else? Or rather, what do you fill your thoughts with most of the time?

For some, it may be lustful thoughts. For others, it may be someone whom they keep thinking about day and night (more than they think about God). For many others, it may be a continuous negative, anxious thought. There are also some who keep thinking that people are gossiping/talking behind their back all the time! If not overcome and dealt with, each of these problems may then become an obsession in one's life. In other words, they become a 'slave' to whatever they keep thinking about!

The fact here is if you keep thinking about a problem (or an earthly concern/matter/person/situation), that problem (or an earthly concern/matter/person/situation) will inevitably 'expand' and dominate your life. By the same token, if you keep thinking about the Word of God, the Word of God will in turn 'expand' and dominate your life! That's how things work in one's thought life!

But the good news is you already have the weapons to pull those unwanted 'strongholds' down!

2 Corinthians 10:4 says that your 'weapons' to overcome and have victory in your thought life does not come from any earthly (carnal) way or method, but by the Word of God, which is mighty for pulling down strongholds!

Now, what does God say about the Word of God here?

Hebrews 4:12 says, 'For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart'. The word 'discern' here is 'kritikos' in Greek (from the word 'krino'), which means 'verdict, determine, decide'. It means the Word of God is the key to determining your thought life, and therefore changing your thought life!

That's the importance of the Word of God, and that's also why the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18, 'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding (looking to) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord (i.e. Jesus, who is also the Word of God), are being transformed into the same image (i.e. the Word of God) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord'.
Note: What you keep beholding or thinking about most of the time will eventually become you. So, if you keep beholding, thinking, and saying what God says (i.e. the Word of God), you'll have what the Word of God says!

The answer to 'pulling down whatever stronghold that is nestling on your head' (i.e 'whatever stronghold that is hindering you from going deeper into His glory') therefore lies in meditating the Word of God.
Note: Meditating the Word of God does involve the use of your mouth as an instrument to mutter or speak His Word out aloud (over and over again). It's when your mouth speaks that your ear hears! Romans 10:17 says, 'So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God'.

Here are some of the Word of God personalized and compiled for you to meditate today:

1. I set my mind on the things above and not on the things on this earth. I set my mind on the things of God (Colossians 3:2)

2. God keeps me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed on Him and I trust Him (Isaiah 26:3)

3. I live according to the Spirit and mind the things of the Spirit. I am spiritually-minded and have life and peace (Romans 8:5-6)

4. My desire is only for the Lord and it is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12)

5. I fear the Lord and I am a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27)

6. I fear the Lord and I prolong my days (Proverbs 10:27)

7. God sends His Word and heals me and He delivers me from destruction (Psalm 107:20)

8. I hear God's Word and receive them and the years of my life are many. I take firm hold of God's Word and will not let it go. I keep them, for they are my life (Proverbs 4:10, Proverbs 4:13)

9. I am now the righteousness of God through Christ. I walk the way of righteousness and I have life. In my pathway there is no death (2 Corinthians 5:21, Proverbs 12:28)

10. My tongue promotes health (Proverbs 12:18)

11. All the works of the devil upon my body and soul are destroyed, and I now have perfect health in Christ Jesus (1 John 3:8, Acts 10:38)

12. Jesus Himself took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses on the cross, and I am now healthy and have no sicknesses or bodily infirmities. The chastisement for my peace was upon Him and by His stripes I am healed (Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:5)

Everything in the physical realm is subject to change!

Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV) - By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen (i.e. natural/physical) were not made of things which are visible (i.e. natural/physical).

The word 'worlds' here is 'aion' in Greek, which can also mean 'ages', and the word 'framed' here is 'katartizo' in Greek, which can mean 'put together, made complete'. In other words, everything that we see around us on earth (i.e. in the natural/physical realm) is put together or made complete from the invisible spiritual realm! 

One can also say everything in this physical earth (everything that is seen) is created from the spiritual realm and sustained from the spiritual realm. For example, in Genesis 1:3, when God said "Let there be light", these words were spoken in the spiritual realm first, and then the physical light (in the natural/physical realm) came about and was sustained!

Even in our life, this is also true. All our thoughts, words, or actions on this earth either release 'light' or 'darkness' according to our inner spiritual life. The Bible says, 'For out of the abundance of the heart (i.e. inner spiritual life) the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart (i.e. inner spiritual life) brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things (see Matthew 12:34-35). 

Let's look at Matthew 6:22-23 now. It says, 'The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye ('inside') is good, your whole body ('outside') will be full of light. But if your eye ('inside') is bad, your whole body ('outside') will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!' This 'eye' here speaks of 'the eye of your understanding' or 'your spiritual eye'.

In other words, everything that happens in the 'inside' (unseen) will soon be reflected in the 'outside' (seen). And any changes in the 'inside' of a person (either from good to bad, or from bad to good) will eventually affect the 'outside' of a person.

Have you been struggling with ill-health, marital problems, or mounting debts for some time? Whatever your problem is, or no matter how serious it may be, there's still hope for you, because everything that you see in the 'outside' (i.e. natural/physical realm) is subject to change. 

"But how?"

With men (i.e. by human efforts or methods), it may be impossible, but to God, all things are possible (Luke 18:27). Let's take Him at His Word. And if you believe that He is God (Psalm 46:10) and He is able (2 Corinthians 9:8), I believe you'll also have your victory and breakthrough soon!

Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, you will have them." Jesus Himself was talking about 'faith' here. By the way, what is 'faith'? It simply means 'a believing heart'. And this 'heart' definitely does not refer to your physical, pumping heart, but it refers to your 'inside' (unseen), i.e. your spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says, 'Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (i.e. you can be set free). But we all, with unveiled face, beholding (looking to Jesus) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (changed) into the same image (as Him) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord'. 

As you look to Him (i.e. behold Him), His Spirit (i.e. the Holy Spirit) will also flow in you, flow through you, and fill you. Allow Him to do His work in you right now! Like water that flows, let Him also 'flush away' all those 'blockages' in the 'inside' of you and fill you with the fullness of His Spirit.

Also, begin to speak words of life, not death into every area of your life, especially in those areas you have been suffering for some time. Remember what Hebrews 11:3 says? Your 'worlds' (i.e. in the natural/physical realm) are being 'put together, made complete' by the word of God that you speak forth in the spiritual realm! That's how powerful His words are!

And finally, instead of striving and struggling with yourself, choose to let go of those unforgiveness, bitterness, or condemnation in the 'inside' of you to Him at the cross. He is willing because He loves you, and He is here to save you from every problem that you face in the natural/physical realm. When He died on the cross some 2,000 years ago, He had also carried all the weight of your sins, burdens, curse, and condemnation upon Himself (see 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13), so you can now be set free to be who God has destined for you to be. Amen.

Growing in wisdom, stature and favor

Luke 2:52 (NKJV): And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

The word 'increase' here can mean 'advance, grow, or proceed'. Just as the kingdom of God (kingdom of heaven) is always increasing and expanding (instead of diminishing), Jesus also continued to increase while He was on earth!

In cross reference, Proverbs 4:18 says, 'The path of the righteous is as the shining light, that shines (increasingly) more and more till the full light'. Praise God! And because you are the righteousness of God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), you too are meant to be increasing as well, whether in wisdom and stature, or in favor with God and men! 

Note: The word ‘stature’ here is ‘helikia’ in Greek, which can mean 'maturity (not just physically, but also spiritually, mentally, or emotionally)'.

From the Bible, there are 2 keys to increasing in wisdom, stature and favor: 

1. Walking in the Spirit (read Galatians 5:16-26). 

2. Taking His instruction as it is (read 1 Samuel 15, learning from King Saul's mistakes).

1. Walking in the Spirit (read Galatians 5:16-26)

The word 'Spirit' here is in capital 'S', i.e. 'walking in His Spirit'. To 'walk in the Spirit' is to have the consciousness of heaven over you, upon you, on you, and in you. In other words, 'walking in the Spirit' is 'walking in the heavenly realm'. When you are 'walking in the Spirit', you are walking in heaven while you are still on earth!

As you 'walk in the Spirit', you are walking in His heavenly wisdom and favor. Not just that, you are also walking in His power and protection (where no evil can touch you). That's why the apostle Paul wrote, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm)." The Spirit and the flesh (i.e. of the earthly realm) are antagonistic against one another (Galatians 5:17). By walking in the Spirit, you are indeed connected to and having access to the heavenly realm and heavenly resources (instead of the earthly realm and earthly resources). So, be filled with His Spirit, and pray in spirit often, moment by moment, day by day, knowing that when you pray in spirit, you are praying heaven(s) down!

2. Taking His instruction as it is (read 1 Samuel 15) 

Let's learn from King Saul’s mistakes here. He (King Saul) could have increased greatly in wisdom, stature and favor had he not tried to be a 'smart aleck'. Forgive me for saying this, but that's true. His idea sounded brilliant according to earthly logic and human reasoning (by sparing King Agag and some of the best sheep and oxen), when God actually said 'to utterly destroy all' (1 Samuel 15:1-3). In other words, Saul never took God’s instruction as it is (i.e. word for word). This eventually cost him even his kingship (see 1 Samuel 16:1). 

In contrast, let's look at our Lord Jesus Christ now. 

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, '... casting down arguments and every high thing (i.e. earthly thing) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ'. Notice the words 'obedience of Christ' here? This speaks of His obedience to His Father's instruction and will. In The Garden of Gethsemane, He said to His Father, "... not My will, but Yours, be done" (see Luke 22:42). 

Philippians 2:8-11 then says, 'And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name (i.e. stature) which is above every name (i.e. stature), that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father'. Notice the word 'obedient' again here? 

People of God, as you walk in these 2 keys mentioned above, as Jesus was, so will you be in this world (1 John 4:17), increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. So be it! Amen!